Finding help with Al-Anon; See schedule of local meetings

Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. Al-Anon is for families, relatives and friends whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

“Regrets and resentments may not faze the alcoholic, but bitter feelings can affect adult children of alcoholics for a long time,” said Pamela Walters, Al-Anon information analyst. “That’s one reason why many professionals call alcoholism a family disease.”

The organization has a list of questions to ask to see if Al-Anon is for you. The list includes:

• Do you worry about how much someone else drinks?

• Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?

• Do you feel that if the drinker cared about you, he or she would stop drinking to please you?

• Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking?

• Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will set off a drinking bout?